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AAITHEAMERICAN ANIMATION INSTITUTECATALOG & CLASS SCHEDULEFall 2019September 9 - December 17, 2019artist: Ed WexlerInformation and class reservations:(818) 845-7000Offered byTHE ANIMATION GUILDand Affiliated Optical Electronic andGraphic Arts, Local 839 IATSE
What is the American Animation Institute? . 1Prerequisites. 2Accreditation. 2Getting hired. 2aRebates. 2Registration. 3Animation Craft ClassesThe Art of Storyboarding. 6Traditional Animation Basics 1 and 2:Pencil and Paper. 8Art Classes — EveningsDrawing with Anatomy, Light, and Tone. 9Perspective. 10Gesture Drawing. 11Street Clothes, Folds, and Costume. 12Figure Drawing: Fundamentals to Advanced. 13Drawing for Animation and Film. 14Art Classes — WeekdaysHead and Figure Painting. 15Figure Drawing and Anatomy. 16Dynamic Figure Drawing:Top To Bottom.17Where can I receive computer animationtraining?. 18What other schools in southern Californiateach animation?. 19What is the Animation Guild? How do Ibecome a member?. 20 2019 by American Animation Institute. All rights reserved. The Spring2020 AAI catalog will be available in December 2019.
BELOW: Tom SitoWhat is theAMERICAN ANIMATION INSTITUTE?The American Animation Institute was founded in1980 by The Animation Guild and Affiliated OpticalElectronic and Graphic Arts, Local 839 IATSE, tofurther the art of animation through observation,demonstration, training and application. As thedemand for computer skills increases, the need forbasic artistic and technical skills is ongoing.To help fill the demand for trained talent, the AmericanAnimation Institute offers a wide range of classes invarious art disciplines. Unlike many universitiesand graduate art programs, AAI offers professionalinstruction in the fundamentals of drawing,composition, animation, storytelling and computerprograms. Our goal is to provide a reasonably-pricededucation in the craft of animation, with classes taughtby industry veterans who can offer “real-world”training geared to current industry conditions anddemands.In addition to classes for industry professionals,AAI offers introductory and intermediate classes forpersons without previous professional experience whoare seeking their first jobs in the animation business.All of the Institute’s classes are offered at theAnimation Guild headquarters building at 1105N. Hollywood Way in Burbank, California. Ourfacilities include lecture rooms, an animation workroom equipped with lightboards and facilities forphotographing and viewing pencil tests, and a fullyequipped studio classroom for art classes.1
PrerequisitesYou must be eighteen years old and a high-schoolgraduate to take AAI classes.AccreditationThe AAI is not an accredited school.Our classes are designed for people interested inanimation, to augment their previous or currentstudies and/or experience in animation, fine arts orfilm. There is no curriculum of classes; students takeas many classes as they wish in the areas of screencartooning that interest them. Many students take thesame classes over again to further sharpen their skills.High-school graduates should be aware that mostpersons employed in this field have had some juniorcollege or college level art training. The Instituteencourages college students to take its classesconcurrently with their other studies.Upon request, we will give letters of completion tostudents seeking employer reimbursement for classfees.Getting hiredOur classes are neither a guarantee nor a prerequisitefor employment. Finding a job in animation dependsentirely on skill, talent, perseverance, presentationand luck. Although many graduates of Instituteclasses have gone on to careers in screen cartooning,the Institute is not a placement service and cannotrecommend students to specific employers, Nor dowe offer financial aid or housing assistance.aRebatesActive members in good standing of the AnimationGuild qualify for a rebate of 20.00 on classes markedwith a a in the catalogue. In order to receive arebate you must attend at least ten of the twelve classsessions. Rebates will be mailed within a week afterthe last class session.2
Class Registration - NOW ONLINEMany of the AAI classes are in high demand andquickly fill to capacity once registration opens. Donot expect to be enrolled in an AAI class if you havenot followed the registration procedures exactly,especially regarding prompt payment.Reservations: ACTIVE members of the AnimationGuild can reserve classes for themselves only bycalling our office on August 9 starting at 8:30 am.The phone number for AAI class reservations (forACTIVE members only, on August 9) is (818) 8457000.ACTIVE members who have not reserved classes byAugust 9 must reserve with the general public throughthe online registration form.For the GENERAL PUBLIC, reservations forupcoming classes will now be accepted only throughan online registration. The form to register will beavailable starting at 8:30 am on August 12. This willbe the only way to reserve a spot in a class.The link for AAI class registration will open onAugust 12 (general public) and you can find it in onthe following website:Animationguild.org Menu Button American Animation Inst. RegistrationBe prepared with your First and Last Name, PhoneNumber and Email Address, and the names of theclasses you’d like to register for.Online Registration Information:You can put multiple classes in your cart and registerfor all of them at one time. Credit Card payments cannow be made online as part of the registration process.You will receive an email within 10 minutes ofsubmitting your form confirming your registrationand your payment status (Note: If you don’t receivea response within 10 minutes, first try refreshing youremail program before calling our office.) If you havechosen not to pay at the time of enrollment, paymentswill be due into the office by 5pm on August 23. If3
RIGHT: Alex Topeteyour payment arrives after this time, we will not beable to accept it and you will lose your spot in theclass.Those on the waiting list will be notified by emailas space becomes available. Do not pay unless youreceive notice from us. If a class is full you’ll needto choose to be put on the waiting list. To find outyour position on the waiting list, send an email [email protected] You are not fully enrolled in a class untilwe receive your payment.All payments for Fall 2019 are due by 5 pm onAugust 23, 2019.Payments may be made by clicking on the paymentlink that’s included in your confirmation email, bymail or in person during office hours (Monday-Friday,8:30 am to 5 pm). Payments must be accompaniedby the enrollees’ name, address, phone number, andthe name of the class(es) for which you are paying.Payments can be made in person by CASH, CHECKor CREDIT CARD. Please make checks payable tothe American Animation Institute or AAI.If you fail to follow the above procedures and do notget into a class, you will have to wait until the nextsemester and re-register to take the class. You mustenroll through the AAI office to be accepted into aclass. Teachers are not authorized to accept classpayments, nor can they make exceptions to classregistration or prerequisite requirements, which arenot waived under any circumstances. Auditing ofclasses is prohibited.Refunds: We will refund payments for twelve-weekclasses if the request is received before the day of thesecond class session. For classes of less than twelveweeks, refund requests must be received before thefirst class session.4
What other schools in southern California teachanimation?Virtually every southern California college with a finearts and/or film production program offers animationclasses. The AAI does not endorse or recommend anyparticular program.The Animation World Network has the mostcomprehensive worldwide listings of animation schools,online at http://schools.awn.com.Among the accredited college-level programs in thearea are:Art Institute of Hollywood.(818) 299-5100Art Institute of Los Angeles.(310) 752-4700Art Institute of Orange County.(714) 830-0200California Institute Of The Arts.(661) 255-1050 x2242Cal State Long Beach.(562) 985-4352Cal State Northridge.(818) 677-2242Chapman College.(714) 997-6765Laguna College of Art Design.(949) 376-6000Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art(LAAFA).(818) 708-9232Loyola Marymount University.(310) 338-3033Mount San Antonio College.(909) 594-5611Otis College of Art & DesignDigital Media.(310) 665-6989Academy of Entertainment Technology @Santa Monica College.(310) 434-3700UCLA Animation Workshop.(310) 206-8441University of Southern California.(213) 740-3986Woodbury University.(818) 767-0888We also recommend contacting the junior colleges inyour area for information on basic art classes such aslife drawing.Local schools that offer high-school-level classes inanimation, cartooning and/or visual arts include:Rowland High School.(626) 965-3448 x294Sierra Vista High School.(818) 355-4908University High School.(310) 914-3500Sheldon’s Art Academy.(818) 706-94445
RIGHT: David ChlystekAnimation Craft ClassesThe Art of StoryboardingDavid Chlystek36 hoursFee: 200.00a12 Wednesdays, Sept. 11 - Dec. 11, 7 pm - 10 pmNote: no class 10/30 and 11/27Reservations for Storyboarding begin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug. 12, 2019Storyboarding. It is the lifeblood of film making. Anart form unlike any other.Anyone, from an expert draftsman to someone who canbarely draw stick figures can be a great storyteller.This class will demystify and explore the art ofstoryboarding. It will explore in depth the skillsnecessary to crafting a great storyboard.Composition, Editing, Camera Movement, theJuxtaposition of images, Camera Lenses. It does notmatter if the student wishes to work in animation, filmor television, ALL of these disciplines are important,vital to the psychology of a scene, the “emotions” of theaudience. These essential skills will be covered in depthin this class. Students will learn why a camera move caneither make or destroy a “moment” in a film.Whether you are a seasoned veteran, or interestednewcomer. Master draftsman or barely able to drawa stick figure, all will gain from taking this class. Onedoes not have to have a laptop or software to take thisclass, but it is encouraged to know either Photoshop orToonBoom, as these are animation industry standards.Lectures will take place on first week, with second weekbeing devoted to critiquing small assignments passedout the week before.Materials: The only materials students need to bringto the first class session are a pencil and notebook. Theteacher will discuss additional materials, which may bepurchased from any local art supply store.* see page 3a see page 26
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BELOW: Alex Topete RIGHT: Karl GnassTraditional Animation Basics 1 and 2:Pencil and PaperAlex Topete24 hoursFee: 140.00a12 Saturdays, Sept. 14 - Dec. 7, 10 am - noonNote: no class 11/30Reservations for Traditional Animation Basics 1and 2: Pencil and Paper begin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug, 12, 2019This combined class focuses on in-between andassistant animation skills, guiding the student throughthe elements of solid drawing, gesture, silhouette,weight, timing, squash & stretch, overlap, followthrough, dialogue and more. Students of this class willbe instructed in the principals of classic traditional(assistant) animation through custom tailored, handdrawn exercises designed to enrich the skills of artistsworking or pursuing work in traditional or computeranimation techniques and is applicable to CGI, Flash,Stop Motion and any other animation techniques usedtoday and into the future.* see page 3a see page 28
Art Classes — EveningsExcept as noted, for any AAI art class please beprepared to bring the following materials to thefirst session: Drawing board; large pad of newsprintpaper; Prismacolor sepia or black pencil; knife orsharpener for pencil; clips for paper. All of the aboveitems are available at any art supply store.Drawing with Anatomy,Light, and ToneKarl Gnass36 hoursFee: 200.00a12 Mondays, Sept. 9 - Dec. 2, 7 pm - 10 pmNote: no class 9/16Reservations for Drawing with Anatomy, Light, andTone begin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug. 12, 2019This course is designed to intensify the fundamentalunderstanding of structure and form developed inearlier classes. the objective is clarity of expression. Attention will be given to anatomy, conceptualizing form, and troubleshooting difficult poses.We will work on the decription of form with tonein longer, more complete drawings with emphasison integration of thea parts, compositional structureand anatomical relationship. With lectures, demos,and personal attention9
BELOW: Jon Messer RIGHT: Mark McDonnellPerspectiveJon Messer24 hoursFee: 140.0012 Mondays, Sept. 9 - Nov. 25, 7 pm - 9 pmReservations for Perspective begin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug. 12, 2019Gain a working knowledge of perspective to enhanceyour sketching and storyboarding. This is a hands-oncourse covering quick and useful geometric methodsthat will help you draw believable and exciting views,objects and figures. Topics will range from the simpleto the complex, with an emphasis on proper use ofunderlying concepts. All concepts will be explainedfully, illustrated in class, and applied to interior andexterior scenes.Materials list: 9”x12” drawing pad, 12” 30/60 degreetriangle, Pencil and Eraser.10
Gesture DrawingMark McDonnell30 hoursFee: 170.00a10 Tuesdays, Oct 1 - Dec. 10, 7 pm - 10 pmNote: no class Nov. 26.Reservations for Gesture Drawing begin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug. 12, 2019The class will help explain how to design and capturethe essence of life through the knowledge of gesturedrawing, increase observational skills and use basicdesign principles that will help to fuel the power ofyour imagination . all of which are important andnecessary skills to have in the animation, illustrationand entertainment industries.11
BELOW: Karl Gnass RIGHT: Karl GnassStreet Clothes, Folds, & CostumeKarl Gnass36 hoursFee: 200.00a12 Wednesdays, Sept. 11 - Dec. 4, 7 pm - 10 pmNote: no class Nov. 27.Reservations for Street Clothes, Folds, & Costumebegin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug. 12, 2019We’ll be drawing with clear-cut ideas on the activefolds, observing and exploring how they work andparticipate in expressing action. We’ll address theconfusions, cover the role of passive folds, wrinkles,design and shape, and costume as character.12
Figure Drawing: Fundamentals toAdvancedKarl Gnass36 hoursFee: 200.00a12 Thursdays, Sept 12 - Dec. 12, 7 pm - 10 pmNote: no class 10/31, 11/28Reservations for Figure Drawing: Fundamentals toAdvanced begin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug. 12, 2019A basic foundation class featuring figure drawingmechanics. Emphasis on description of form, gesture,structure, anatomy dynamics, and the figure as story.The goal is to develop the ability to draw with skilland imagination. There will be lectures, demos, andpersonal attention. This is a class for all levels.13
BELOW: Will Weston RIGHT: Karl GnassDrawing for Animation & FilmWill Weston15 hoursFee: 100.005 Thursdays, Sept. 26 - Oct. 24, 7 pm - 10 pmReservations for Drawing for Animation & Film begin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug. 12, 2019“Drawing for Animation & Film” addresses object drawing(prop drawing) for film compositions used in animation &games. In these compositions, objects are drawn differentlydepending on their use, how important they are, the show orfilm style, and where they appear in the composition. Objectsare usually modified from reference, often radically. Theyhave to be drawn from the correct angles, drawn clearly andwith consideration for design and storytelling needs. Simpleobservational drawing skills are not enough.The workshop covers important and often unaddressedissues in compositional drawing. Workshop students willlearn to apply critical design fundamentals to drawing andlearn the importance of silhouettes, projection and lofting,overlapping planes, scaling objects or groups of objects,positioning objects in compositions effectively, narrativeconsiderations in composition, etc. Perspective is learnedby using seven specific volumes. The volumes are simpleto grasp and are the underlying structure of all objects.Students hear a lecture, see demos, draw in class every weekand receive instructional materials to continue working athome. The class is for beginners to accomplished drawers.Materials are simple: 11 X 17 white drawing paper. Copypaper is fine. For the more experienced bond or sketch paperis better, 10 & 20% cool gray markers with a wedge tip (twoof each, no brush pens), Black Prismacolor pencils (blackProgresso pencils are also fine), a kneaded eraser, and apencil sharpener. Follow @willwestonstudio on Instagramto see demos & student work.14
Art Classes — WeekdaysAll weekday classes include a thirty-minute lunch break.Head and Figure PaintingKarl Gnass72 hoursFee: 350.0012 Mondays, Sept. 9 - Dec. 2, 9:30 am - 4 pmNote: no class 9/16Reservations for Head and Figure Painting begin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug. 12, 2019Close attention will be givin to the fundamentals ofanatomy, structure and form followed with emphasison character, mood, and action. We will examineand explore different theories of color, the valueschale, direct and indirect light, and proceduresused by various artists throughout history. Finally, adiscussion of personal approach, inviting the studentto challenge established norms and limitations.15
BELOW: Glen Villpu RIGHT: Karl GnassFigure Drawing and AnatomyGlenn Vilppu60 hoursFee: 350.0012 Tuesdays, Oct. 1 - Dec. 17, 10:30 am - 4 pmReservations for Figure Drawing and Anatomybegin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug. 12, 2019This course focuses on applying anatomicalknowledge to drawing the figure. Knowing anatomyis not equivalent to being able to use it in drawing.Before focusing on Anatomy, it is necessary to havea clear understanding of the gesture and basic threedimensional structure in simple forms.Each week of the class will focus upon a specificpart of the body, showing its basic constructionand the anatomy related to it. A primary elementin our drawing is showing the various parts of thebody overlapping as they interconnect, as well asthe interaction of the various elements of anatomyin action.16
Dynamic Figure Drawing: Top ToBottomKarl Gnass72 hoursFee: 350.0012 Fridays, Sept. 20 - Dec. 13, 9:30 am - 4 pmNote: no class 11/29Reservations for Dynamic Figure Drawing: Top ToBottom begin:Animation Guild members*. beginning Aug. 9, 2019All others. beginning Aug. 12, 2019Featuring fundamental to advanced techniques. We’llcover key drawing concepts, structure, observingand organizing form, procedures and approaches,line of action, story and gesture, figure constructionand anatomy, the understanding and description ofdifficult poses, advanced figure studies with longposes using the basic theories of modeling form,analysis of the old masters - composition, design, anddrawing techniques. There will be lectures, demos,and personal attention. All skill levels are welcome.17
BELOW: Mark McDonnellWhere can I receive computer animation training?Many artists seeking careers in computer-relatedfields have found our classes helpful in polishing theirbasic artistic and craft skills. Even with the industryemphasis on computer animation, most animationemployers would rather hire a skilled and talentedartist than a “computer virtuoso” lacking in basicartistic ability.For further information on computer animationtraining in southern California contact:Gnomon School of Visual Arts.(323) 466-6663Concept Design Academy (CDA).(818) 669-4657Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art(LAAFA).(818) 708-9232Computer Graphics Master Academy (CGMA).(800) 959-0316Check out the websites of theseAAI instructors:Karl Gnass: spirit-of-the-pose.comMark McDonnell: cre8tivemarks.comJon Messer: jonmesser.comAlex Topete: elgrupoanimation.comGlenn Vilppu: vilppustudio.comWill Weston: willwestonstudio.com18
What other schools in southern California teachanimation?Virtually every southern California college with a finearts and/or film production program offers animationclasses. The AAI does not endorse or recommend anyparticular program.The Animation World Network has the mostcomprehensive worldwide listings of animation schools,online at http://schools.awn.com.Among the accredited college-level programs in thearea are:Art Institute of Hollywood.(818) 299-5100Art Institute of Los Angeles.(310) 752-4700Art Institute of Orange County.(714) 830-0200California Institute Of The Arts.(661) 255-1050 x2242Cal State Long Beach.(562) 985-4352Cal State Northridge.(818) 677-2242Chapman College.(714) 997-6765Laguna College of Art Design.(949) 376-6000Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art(LAAFA).(818) 708-9232Loyola Marymount University.(310) 338-3033Mount San Antonio College.(909) 594-5611Otis College of Art & DesignDigital Media.(310) 665-6989Academy of Entertainment Technology atSanta Monica College.(310) 434-3700UCLA Animation Workshop.(310) 206-8441University of Southern California.(213) 740-3986Woodbury University.(818) 767-0888We also recommend contacting the junior colleges inyour area for information on basic art classes such aslife drawing.Local schools that offer high-school-level classes inanimation, cartooning and/or visual arts include:Rowland High School.(626) 965-3448 x294Sierra Vista High School.(818) 355-4908University High School.(310) 914-3500Sheldon’s Art Academy.(818) 706-944419
What is the Animation Guild? How do I becomea member?The Animation Guild and Affiliated OpticalElectronic and Graphic Arts, Local 839 IATSE,is a labor union representing the writers, artists,craftspersons and technicians involved inthe making of animated cartoons and motionpicture computer graphics. The Animation Guildadministers the American Animation Institute.The Guild has contracts with all the majoranimation studios in Los Angeles County. Thesecontracts guarantee fair wages, hours, benefits andworking conditions for Guild members.To become a member of the Guild, you must geta job with one of the studios with which the Guildhas a contract. It is not necessary to join the Guildas a prerequisite for getting a job at a unionizedanimation studio. A list of Guild shops is availableon the Guild’s website, or you can call the Guildoffice for a copy.The initiation fee is two weeks’ scale wages in thejob category in which you are first hired. Dues arecharged quarterly. When you are hired at a Guildshop, the studio will notify us and we will send youa statement with your initial balance, representingthe initiation fee and dues for the current quarter.It will not be necessary to pay the entire amountat once; we will allow you to make reasonablepayments towards the balance.For further information, contact:The Animation Guild Local 839 IATSE1105 N. Hollywood WayBurbank, CA 91505-2528phone (818) 845-7500 fax (818) nguild.org20
oliagnMaodyWaVentura Freeway (134)old locationCamarillo rndleChaHoollywLankershimVinelandInteractive map: tinyurl.com/new-tag-hqbetween Chandler and Magnolia1105 N. Hollywood WayBurbank, CA 91505the americananimation institute
FALL 2019 AAI CATALOGAmerican Animation Institute1105 N. Hollywood WayBurbank, CA 91505-2528NONPROFIT ORGU. S. POSTAGE PAIDVAN NUYS, CAPERMIT 25
Reservations: ACTIVE members of the Animation Guild can reserve classes for themselves only by calling our office on August 9 starting at 8:30 am. The phone number for AAI class reservations (for ACTIVE members only, on August 9) is (818) 845-7000. ACTIVE members who have not reserved classes by August 9 must reserve with the general public through
